Graphs of Rational Functions Name:

Algebra 2/Trigonometry Period:

Mr. Diens Guide to Graphing Rational Functions

g x
A rational function is a quotient of two polynomial functions. It has the form f x
h x
where h x 0 . Before we can sketch/graph the rational function we need to do some ground
work drawing up boundaries so see how the function behaves. These include, zeros (crosses the x
axis) of the rational function point discontinuities (holes), vertical and horizontal asymptotes.

Zeros (where the function crosses the x-axis)

Zeros occur when there are x (domain) values that cause the numerator to equal zero (as well as
the whole function at that point).

Example. 1 Find the zeros then graph the function on your calculator to see the rest of the
function.

a x
x 1 x 2
6

Sketch the function.

Practice 1 :Find the zeros of a x

2x 2
x 3
,
2
then using your graphing calculator sketch the graph.
(Hint: Factor the numerator)
 Point Discontinuities (Holes)

Point Discontinuities occur when the rational function has variable factor in the numerator that
x 3
reduces with a factor in the denominator such as a x for any x other than
x 3 x 2
1
x 3 , the functions factors will reduce to a x . To graph the function we use the
x 2
0
reduced form, but when the graph gets to x 3 we will run into the case of which is
0
undefined. So at that point we use an open dot. You can have multiple holes for a function.

( x 3)( x 2)
Example. 2 Graph function y x
( x 2)

What will the reduced function equation look like?

(The reduced form is the one you graph)

At what x will the hole lie?

Then state the coordinates of the point discontinuity.

Practice 2: Graph the function y

x 3
3x 2 x 2
( x 3) x 2

What will the reduced function equation look like?

(The reduced form is the one you graph)

At what xs will the hole lie?

Then state the coordinates of the point discontinuity.

 Vertical Asymptotes

These appear when there are values for domain x that will make the denominator zero. Usually
this is looks like a dotted vertical line. Now the graph can get close to this line and shoots up to
either positive or negative infinity depending from which direction you are approaching the x that
causes the asymptote. The function will never cross a vertical asymptote.

Example. 3
2
Graph the vertical asymptote for a x
x 2 and show how the function behaves around that
asymptote.

1. There is a vertical asymptote at x 2

2. As x 2 from the left side side (such as x 2.0001 )

2
then x 2 a small negative number, therefore
x 2

3. As x 2 from the right side (such as x 1.99999 )

2
then x 2 a small positive number, therefore
x 2

Practice 3

Graph the asymptotes and sketch the functions behavior near the
vertical asymptotes.

1
a x
x 2 x 3

Sometimes the numerator can play a factor in the sign of the

function as it approaches the asymptote. As it approaches the
asymptote one factor at the bottom gets really small but what
are the signs of the other factors?

a x
x 1
x 2 x 3
 Horizontal Asymptotes

A Horizontal Asymptote to a function is like what the Pirates Code is in the Pirates of
the Caribbean, its more of a guideline than a rigid rule, in the sense that the a horizontal
asymptote is a line or a curve that the function approaches for large values of x. For
small x, the horizontal asymptote has nothing much to do with the curve.

In general the way to find horizontal asymptotes can be broken down to three simple
rules. To figure them out you just need to think about what happens to the functions as x
approaches infinity x and negative infinity x (source: Doctor Pat, The
Math Forum)

a) the highest power is in the numerator ---> the curve diverges to

plus/minus infinity and there is no horizontal asymptote. (see slant asymptote
section for cases when the greatest power of the numerator is exactly one bigger
than greatest power for the denominator.)
3x3 5
Ex.
4x 1

b) the highest power is in the denominator ---> the curve converges

to zero as a horizontal asymptote

4x 1
Ex.
2 x 2 10

c) both the numerator and the denominator have the same power --->
the curve converges and has an asymptote at a value L where L is
the simplified ratio of the coefficients of the highest power
terms.

4 x 2 3x 1
Ex.
7 x 2 10

Example 4: Find the horizontal asymptotes for the following functions

2 x 1 x 1 3x3 1 3x 1
a. f x b. f x c. f x
x( x 2) x 3 2x 5x 2
 Slant Asymptote

The slant asymptote is a special kind of asymptote that occurs when the greatest power of
the numerator is exactly one bigger than greatest power for the denominator. To figure
out what the equation of the asymptote you have to long divide and then see what
happens when x

2 x3 1
Example 5: Find the equation of the slant asymptote f x
x2

It has a asymptote by looking at the highest degree term in the numerator and
denominator. Now we do long division

1
Which gives us 2x and as x x2 2 x3 1
x
it will become 2x , so the equation of the slant
asymptote is y 2 x .

(Note there is still a vertical asymptote at x 0 .)

Practice 5:

2 x 2 10 x 1
a. Find the slant asymptote for f x
x 5

2 x2 3x 1
b. Find the slant asymptote for f x
x2